INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Lisa Wagner a spokesperson for the Vero Beach Fashion Outlets has offered up a few tips to help you make the most out of your time and money when shopping during one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Use her Top Ten Strategies at the Outlet’s Moonlight Madness and Black Friday shopping events, for a successful Thanksgiving shopping spree.
1. Plan and save. Check the specials page of your favorite outlet center’s web site and sign up for regular notifications and specials.
2. Pick your favorite brands and sign up for their loyalty programs to get notifications of sales and coupons.
3. Create a Gmail or other dedicated account for all of your memberships so that all of your shopping notifications go to a single web address.
4. Print out the offers since some stores may not have digital readers – or they may not work.
5. Dress for success – dress in comfortable layers that are easy to remove and wear flat, easily-removed shoes. Put a leotard on underneath for optimal ease in trying on if there is no dressing room readily available.
6. Plan your attack. Check out the web site of your favorite outlet center, print out the site plan and highlight your top targets.
7. Leave home early – tuck away those leftovers and get ready to shop. Parking is the most coveted commodity at Midnight (and earlier) openings, so get an early start and plan to arrive well before the shopping center opens.
8. Divide and conquer. Bring friends and plan to divide up and stand in lines at the stores you are most interested in. Use your text and mobile phones to keep each other updated on your places in line and move around as you get closer to victory.
9. Take advantage of package drop offs and coffee breaks – lightening your load and periodic breaks will keep your energy going.
10. Keep receipts – most stores accept returns and it will be easier if you have your receipt with the item.